Virgin Islands 305(b) Report

ABBREVIATED 1998 305(b) REPORT

WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT FOR THE UNITED STATES VIRGIN ISLANDS

Submitted by the Division of Environmental Protection
Department of Planning and Natural Resources
Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States

LIST OF TABLES *

LIST OF FIGURES *

PART I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY *

A. Purpose *

B. Overview of Water Quality Conditions and Trends *

C. Program Initiatives *

D. Summary of Classified Uses *

E. Highlights of the Rest of this Report *

PART II: BACKGROUND *

A. Resource Overview *

B. Classifications, Total Waters and Applicable Standards *

C. Water Pollution Control Program *

PART III: SURFACE WATER ASSESSMENT *

A. Current Surface Water Monitoring Program *

B. Assessment Methodology and Summary Data *

C. Estuary and Coastal Assessment *

D. Wetlands Assessment *

E. Public Health/Aquatic Life Concerns *

PART IV: GROUND WATER ASSESSMENT *

A. Overview of Virgin Islands Ground Water Protection Programs *

B. Overview of Ground Water Contamination Sources *

C. Summary of Ground Water Quality *

D. Summary of Ground Water-Surface Water Interactions *

Attachment I: Unified Watershed Assessment: Category 1 Watersheds *

Attachment II: Areas of Particular Concern *

Attachment III *

Endnotes *

LIST OF TABLES

Table II.A.1 Characteristics of Virgin Islands Watersheds and Islands *

Table II A. 1 Watersheds Listed in the Unified Watershed Assessment *

Table II.A.2 Alignment of 14-Digit HUs and Watersheds *

Table II.A.3 Waterbodies, Segments, Coastal Shoreline Miles and Monitoring Sites *

Table II.B.1 Summary of Pollutant Levels of VI Water Quality Standards: *

Table II.B.2 Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use and Island *

Table II.B.2.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. Croix *

Table II.B.3.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. Thomas *

Table II.B.4.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. John *

Table II.C.1 Federal Reports of VI Pollution Discharge Permits, 1996-97 *

Table II.C.2 Summary of TPDES Activities, 1996 and 1997 *

Table II.C.3 Supplementary POTW Inspections: TPDES, 1996 and 1997 *

Table II.C.4 Summary of TPDES Enforcement Activities, FY 1996 and FY 1997 *

Table III.A.1 142 Virgin Islands "Boat" Monitoring Sites *

Table III.A.2 65 Virgin Islands Beach Monitoring Sites *

Table III.B.1 Virgin Islands Hydrologic Units and Acreage *

Table III.B.2 Waterbodies, Segments, Coast Lengths and Monitoring Sites *

Table III.B.3 Summary of 1998 VI List of Impaired [303(d)] Waters *

Table III.C.1.a Waterbodies, Segments, Coast Lengths and Designated Uses *

Table III.C.1.b Summary of Designated Uses by Estimated Coast Lengths *

Table III.C.2 Summary of Fully, Partially and Non-supporting Coastal Waters *

Table III.C.3 Sources of Use Impairment by Sampling Site 1996 to 1997. *

Table III.D.1 Wetlands Classifications *

Table: Attachment III.A St. Croix Monitoring Results 1996 and 1997 *

Table: Attachment III.B St. Thomas-St. John Monitoring Results 1996 and 1997 *

Assessment & Source Codes for Attachment Tables III.A and III.B *

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure II.A.1 St. Croix Waterbodies *

Figure II.A.2 St. Thomas Waterbodies *

Figure II.A.3 St. John Waterbodies *

Figure II.B.2 St. Croix Coastal Waters Classified by Designated Use *

Figure II.B.3 St. Thomas Coastal Waters Classified by Class *

Figure II.B.4 St. John Coastal Waters Classified by Class *

Figure III.A.1: St. Croix Waters Boat Monitoring Network *

Figure III.A.2: St. Thomas Waters Boat Monitoring Network *

Figure III.A.3: St. John Waters Boat Monitoring Network *

Figure III.B.1 Data Relationships for Waterbodies, Segments and Assessment Information *

Figure III.C.2.a St. Croix: Fully, Partially and
Non-supporting Coastal Waters *

Figure III.C.2.b St. Thomas: Fully, Partially and
Nonsupporting Coastal Waters *

Figure III.C.2c St. John: Fully, Partially and
Nonsupporting Coastal Waters *

PART I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

A. Purpose

The 1998 United States Virgin Islands Water Quality Assessment report was prepared on behalf of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources, Division of Environmental Protection (DPNR/DEP) and is intended to satisfy abbreviated reporting requirements under section 305(b) of the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA), reference to the Territorial 1996 Report. This report provides an assessment of the water quality conditions of the Virgin Island’s surface and ground water resources for the period covering fiscal years 1996 and 1997 (October 1, 1995 through September 30, 1997), in addition to the conditions discussed in the 1996 Water Quality Assessment Report.

B. Overview of Water Quality Conditions and Trends

Water quality in the US Virgin Islands is generally good but declining due to an increase in point and non-point source discharges into the marine environment. Sources such as direct discharges, uncontrolled run-off and vessel wastes increase stresses on Virgin Islands (VI) waters. The lack of public awareness about the importance of the USVI waters contributes to the degradation of the water quality.

1. Surface Water

Non-point source pollution is the major source of surface water contamination in the Virgin Islands. Non-point source pollution can be attributed to several causes such as:

failure to properly install effective silt control devices during construction,
failure to contain storm water run-off from unpaved roads,
failure of other Divisions (e.g. Building Permits Division) to involve the Division of Environmental Protection (DEP) in the review of earth change applications for possible environmental impacts, and
failure of on-site disposal systems (OSDS).

The discharging of wastes overboard directly into the sea by boat owners and the difficulty in regulating such activity also contributes to non-point source pollution problems seen in the Virgin Islands. Point Source Pollution can be attributed to a failing and overloaded municipal sewage system. Poor preventive maintenance practices due to lack of funding within the Department of Public Works, and negligence result in a pattern of frequent "bypasses" that empty sewage directly into the waters of the Virgin Islands.

2. Ground Water

The contamination of groundwater in the Virgin Islands is attributed to:

bacteriological contamination from failing septic systems,
leaking municipal sewer lines,
migration of contamination from previous injections and disposal practices, and
frequent sewage bypasses (generally described as discharges direct to the sea, but with some percolation into sub-soils).

Other sources of contamination include the intrusion of salt water caused by the over-pumping of the aquifers, the invasion of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) contamination from leaking underground storage tanks, and the indiscriminate discharging of waste oil onto the surface of the ground.

C. Program Initiatives

Under the provisions of the Federal and Local Water Pollution Control Act, the Virgin Islands Water Pollution Control (WPC) Program is mandated to conserve, protect, preserve, and improve the quality of water for public use, and the propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic life for the USVI. Involved in the preservation of water quality will be the assurance that all projects are in compliance with the Water Quality Standards as set forth in the Virgin Islands Environmental Laws and Regulations.

In addition, the program reporting period (FY 1996 and FY 1997) saw water quality management activities in the Virgin Islands being planned for integration for both management and reporting purposes with the Unified Watershed Assessment process of the Clean Water Action Plan. This Virgin Islands Water Quality Assessment presents water quality assessment information in a format that preserves the Virgin Islands long-term data series by using the same water quality monitoring sites. This report also indicates how this data can be summarized at a level that is compatible for both Water Quality Assessment, and the Unified Watershed Assessment process.

D. Summary of Classified Uses

VI waters are classified into three (3) groups based on designated uses: Class A, B. and C:

Class A waters are for the preservation of natural phenomena requiring special conditions with existing natural conditions that shall not be changed. Class A water standards are the most stringent of the three (3) classes because of its pristine or near-pristine state.

Class B and C waters are for the propagation of desirable species of marine life and for primary contact recreation.

Class C waters have less stringent water quality standards than Class B.

Detailed specifications for these classes are presented in Part II, Section B, below.

All waters of the Virgin Islands are designated for fish consumption, aquatic life support, swimming, and secondary contact uses pursuant to the Virgin Islands Water Quality Standard, Title 12, Chapter 7, §186-1 of the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations (VIRR).

E. Highlights of the Rest of this Report

Part II maps and explains the new geographic delineations used by the Department of Planning and Natural Resources to report on this Water Quality Assessment, and to display the effects on watersheds and watershed restoration priorities in the Virgin Islands.
Part III reports on surface water quality issues in the Virgin Islands.
Part IV reports groundwater and related non-point source issues in the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

PART II: BACKGROUND

A. Resource Overview

The territory of the United States Virgin Islands comprises 3 major islands: St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas. Additionally, Damman and Nellis (1992) documented 57 smaller islands and cays in A Natural History Atlas to the Cays of the US Virgin Islands. Taken together, the territory encompasses a total land area of about 135 square miles or 110,000 acres (Table II.A.1) characterized by central mountain ranges and relatively small coastal plains. Peak elevations are 1,165 feet on St. Croix (Mount Eagle), 1,550 feet on St. Thomas, (Crown Mountain) and 1,297 feet on St. John (Bordeaux Mountain). The islands are generally only 2 to 6 miles wide, with no land location far from the coastal waters. All data in this report focus on the main islands of St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas (although several enclosed bays within the main islands' watersheds include offshore islands and cays).

The recent (September, 1998) return of Water Island to the control of the Government of the US Virgin Islands, after 50-some years of direct federal administration (first as a fort by the Department of the Army during the Second World War, and later as the responsibility of the US Department of the Interior) raises the question of whether this areas should be treated as a fourth island. Because the area is small (less than 600 acres or 1 square mile), and because the island is practically within St. Thomas Harbor, for the purposes of the Water Quality Assessment, Water Island will be treated as another offshore cay or small inhabited island, such as Hassel Island or Great St. James.

The offshore cays and small islands are an inherent piece of the natural heritage of the Virgin Islands. Additionally, as an economic asset, these offshore sites could be included within a broad ecotourism program for the territory. Many government-owned cays have already been established as wildlife reserves pursuant to Title 12 94(b)(2) VI Rules and Regulations. A number are important seabird nesting sites, and several are important roosting areas. The surrounding waters of most of the cays and islands teem with marine life, providing food for seabirds and for the fish and shellfish sought by commercial and recreational fishermen. They are also critical as dive sites targeted by the local diving industry.

There are no large freshwater lakes or ponds, and no perennial streams on any of the islands; and intermittent streams can only be seen after heavy rainfall. The absence of large freshwater resources and perennial streams means that guts (watercourses) form the basis for watershed management in the territory.

This Water Quality Assessment is based on the United State Geological Survey (USGS) 8- digit Hydrologic Units for the US Virgin Islands, which designate two Virgin Islands watersheds: one for St. Croix, and one for the combined islands of St. Thomas-St. John.

In addition, this Water Quality Assessment also uses preliminary, draft 11- and 14-digit Hydrologic Unit definitions, in the process of being finalized by the US Geological Service of the US Department of Interior and the Natural Resources Conservation Service of the US Department of Agriculture, to define territorial Waterbodies. Within these fourteen draft waterbodies (seven on St. Croix, four on St. Thomas, and three on St. John), the Virgin Islands also wishes to define waterbody Segments, which correspond to coastal elements of watersheds used by and undergoing further definition in the Virgin Islands Unified Watershed Assessment program.

Table II.A.1 Characteristics of Virgin Islands Watersheds and Islands

Official Watersheds	St. Croix	St. Thomas-St. John
TOPICS/Islands	St. Croix	St Thomas	St John	TOTAL
Population	51,389	54,259	4,014	109,661
Land Area (square miles)	84	32	20	136
Land Area (acres)	53,499	17,489	12,323	83,311
Tidal/sub-tidal Wetlands (square miles)	2.5	2.4	1.1	5.9
Coastal Shoreline	70.3	52.8	49.7	172.8
Embayments (square miles)	1.5	0.9	0.1	3.0

Figure II.A.1 St. Croix Waterbodies

Figure II.A.2 St. Thomas Waterbodies

Figure II.A.3 St. John Waterbodies

The [preliminary, draft] 14-digit Hydrologic Unit delineations are to be integrated with the list of watersheds used for the analysis in the Unified Watershed Assessment: See Part III below.

Table II A. 1 Watersheds Listed in the Unified Watershed Assessment

The watersheds on St. Croix, St. Thomas and St. John are as follows:

St. Croix

Label Watersheds Acres

A. Northside 2,258

B. Baron Bluff 1,262

C. Salt River Bay 3,510

D. Princess 2,182

E. Christiansted 1,225

F. Altoona Lagoon 1,239

G. Southgate 1,597

H. Solitude 1,691

I. Teagues Bay 1,061

J. Turner Hole 711

K. Madam Carty 1,128

L. Great Pond Bay 2,007

M. Laprey Valley 1,853

N. Bugby Hole 998

0. Cane Garden Bay 1,527

P. Hovic-Vialco 7,642

Q. Bethlehem 6,689

R. Airport 1,654

S. Diamond 2,577

T. Long Point Bay 2,044

U. Sandy Point 2,735

V. La Grange 3,137

W. Prosperity 967

X. Creque Dam 703

Y. Butler Bay 918

Z. Rams Bay 757

Total St. Croix Acres 54,072

St. Thomas Watersheds

A. Botany Point 945

B. Santa Maria Bay 867

C. Dorothea Bay 1,861

D. Magens Bay 1,210

E. Mandahl Bay 1,883

F. Smith Bay 902

G. Redhook Bay 850

H. Benner Bay 3,666

I. Frenchman Bay 1,137

J. St. Thomas Harbour 2,696

K. Harry S. Truman Airport 1,524
(now Cyril E. King)

L. Preseverance Bay 704

M. Fortuna Bay 707

Total St. Thomas 18,952

St. John Watersheds

N. Hawksnest 1,305

0. Maho Bay 1,116

P. Leinster Bay 795

Q. Minnebeck Bay 629

R. Coral Bay 3,003

S. Great Lameshur Bay 1,545

T. Genti (Reef) Bay 1,208

U. Fish Bay 1,503

V. Rendezvous Bay 416

W. Great Cruz Bay 529

St. John Total Acres 12,049

These watersheds align closely with the larger 14-digit Hydrologic Units drafted by the USGS and the NRCS. In the current biennial planning period (FY 1998 and FY 1999), the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources will provide a detailed integration and overlay of these two systems.

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The preliminary alignment is as follows:

Table II.A.2 Alignment of 14-Digit HUs and Watersheds

Hydrologic Unit Codes
8-Digit	11-Digit	14-Digit	Name	Acres
21020002			St. Croix Watershed	54,072
	21020002010		North St. Croix	22,507
		21020002010010	Northwest St. Croix	6,482
			V. La Grange	3,137
			W. Prosperity	967
			X. Creque Dam	703
			Y. Butler Bay	918
			Z. Rams Bay	757
		21020002010020	Northcentral St. Croix	7,030
			A. Northside	2,258
			B. Baron Bluff	1,262
			C. Salt River Bay	3,510
		21020002010030	Northeast St. Croix	8,995
			D. Princess	2,182
			E. Christiansted	1,225
			F. Altoona Lagoon	1,239
			G. Southgate	1,597
			H. Solitude	1,691
			I. Tagues Bay	1,061
				Acres
	21020002020		South St. Croix	31,565
		21020002020010	Southeast St. Croix	8,224
			J. Turner Hole	711
			K. Madam Carty	1,128
			L.. Great Pond Bay	2,007
			M. Laprey Valley	1,853
			N. Bugby Hole	998
			0. Cane Garden Bay	1,527
		21020002020020	Southports St. Croix	7,642
			P. Hovic-Vialco	7,642
		21020002020030	Airport St. Croix	8,343
			Q. Bethlehem	6,689
			R.Airport	1,654
		21020002020040	Southwest St. Croix	7,356
			S. Diamond	2,577
			T. Long Point Bay	2,044
			U. Sandy Point	2,735
21020001			St. Thomas- St. John Watershed	Acres
	21020001010		St. Thomas	18,952
		21020001010010	Northwest St. Thomas	4883
			A. Botany Point	945
			B. Santa Maria Bay	867
			C. Dorothea Bay	1,861
			D. Magens Bay	1,210
		21020001010020	Northeast St. Thomas	3,635
			E. Mandal Bay	1,883
			F. Smith Bay	902
			G. Redhook Bay	850
		21020001010030	Southeast St. Thomas	4,803
			H. Benner Bay	3,666
			I. Frenchman Bay	1,137
		21020001010040	Southwest St. Thomas	5,631
			J. St. Thomas Habour	2,696
			K. Cyril E King Airport	1,524
			L. Preseverance Bay	704
			M. Fortuna Bay	707
				Acres
	21020001020		St. John	12,049
		21020001020010	North St. John	3,845
			N. Hawksnest	1,305
			0. Maho Bay	1,116
			P. Leinster Bay	795
			Q. Minnebeck Bay	629
		21020001020020	Southeast St. John	4,548
			R. Coral Bay	3,003
			S. Great Lameshur Bay	1,545
		21020001020030	Southwest St. John	3,656
			T. Genti (Reef) Bay	1,208
			U. Fish Bay	1,503
			V. Rendezvous Bay	416
			W. Great Cruz Bay	529

Table II.A.3 Waterbodies, Segments, Coastal Shoreline Miles and Monitoring Sites

Finally, these two systems are displayed with an indication of the length of coastal shoreline associated with each Waterbody, and the number of current in-water (WQ or "boat" sites) and beach water quality monitoring sites established by the Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources.

		Waterbodies	(WB 14-digit HU Codes) Segments	Approximate Length (est.)	WQ Sites	Beach Sites
VIRGIN ISLANDS TOTAL				172.8	140	65
St. Croix				70.3	59	32
	North St. Croix			33.4	38	na
		Northwest St. Croix	(21020002010010)	8.9	3
			V. La Grange	tbd
			W. Prosperity	tbd
			X. Creque Dam	tbd
			Y. Butler Bay	tbd
			Z. Rams Bay	tbd
		Northcentral St. Croix	(21020002010020)	9.5	12
			A. Northside	tbd
			B. Baron Bluff	tbd
			C. Salt River Bay	tbd
		Northeast St. Croix	(21020002010030)	15.0	23
			D. Princess	tbd
			E. Christiansted	tbd
			F. Altoona Lagoon	tbd
			G. Southgate	tbd
			H. Solitude	tbd
			I. Tagues Bay	tbd
				Miles	Sites	Sites
	South St. Croix			36.9	21	na
		Southeast St. Croix	(21020002020010)	15.3	6
			J. Turner Hole	tbd
			K. Madam Carty	tbd
			L.. Great Pond Bay	tbd
			M. Laprey Valley	tbd
			N. Bugby Hole	tbd
			0. Cane Garden Bay	tbd
		Southports St. Croix	(21020002020020)	8.1	9
			P. Hovic-Vialco	tbd
		Airport St. Croix	21020002020030	2.5	3
			Q. Bethlehem	tbd
			R.Airport	tbd
		Southwest St. Croix	(21020002020040)	11.0	3
			S. Diamond	tbd
			T. Long Point Bay	tbd
			U. Sandy Point	tbd
St. Thomas-St. John				102.5	81	33
	St. Thomas			52.8	62	23
		Northwest St. Thomas	(21020001010010)	11.5	8	5
			Botany Point	tbd
			Santa Maria Bay	tbd
			Dorothea Bay	tbd
			Magens Bay	tbd
		Northeast St. Thomas	(21020001010020)	13.5	13	8
			Mandal Bay	tbd
			Smith Bay	tbd
			Redhook Bay	tbd
		Southeast St. Thomas	(21020001010030)	11.0	16	5
			Benner Bay	tbd
			Frenchman Bay	tbd
		Southwest St. Thomas	(21020001010040)	16.8	25	5
			St. Thomas Harbor	tbd
			Cyril E. King Airport (ex-HST)	tbd
			Preseverance Bay	tbd
			Fortuna Bay	tbd
	St. John			49.7	19	10
		North St. John	(21020001020010)	20.0	5	6
			N. Hawksnest	tbd
			0. Maho Bay	tbd
			P. Leinster Bay	tbd
			Q. Minnebeck Bay	tbd
		Southeast St. John	(21020001020020)	19.7	4	1
			R. Coral Bay	tbd
			S. Great Lameshur Bay	tbd
		Southwest St. John	(21020001020030)	10.0	10	3
			T. Genti Reef) Bay	tbd
			U. Fish Bay	tbd
			V. Rendezvous Bay	tbd
			W.Great Cruz Bay	tbd

Tbd As indicated previously, detailed mapping, determination of the length of coast or area of the segments and waterbodies in this list are tasks being undertaken by Departmental staff and contractors during the current 305(b) reporting period, although planning for these issues began during the previous period (subject to this report).

B. Classifications, Total Waters and Applicable Standards

The information on Water Quality Criteria by Classification and pollutant are summarized in Table II. B.1, below, which closely follows the wording of Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations.

Boundaries of Class A Waters:

Preservation of natural phenomena requiring special conditions, such as the natural Barrier Reef at Buck Island, St. Croix (defined within 0.5 miles of the boundaries of Buck Island’s National Barrier Reef) and the Under Water Trail at Trunk Bay, St. John. Existing natural conditions shall not be changed.

Boundaries of Class B Waters:

Propagation of desirable species of marine life and for primary contact recreation (swimming, water skiing, etc.) The Water Quality Criteria as defined by VIR&R Title 12, Chapter 7, Section 186-3(b)(1-11) are:

Dissolved oxygen: Not less than 5.5 mg/l from other than natural conditions
pH: Normal range of pH must not be extended at any location by more than +/- 0.1 pH unit. At no time shall the pH be less than 7.0 or greater than 8.3
Temperature: Not to exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit at any time, nor as a result of waste discharge to be greater than 1.5 degree Fahrenheit above natural. A Thermal Policy section (defined by VIR&R, T.12, Ch. 7, Section 186-5) shall also apply
Bacteria: Shall not exceed a geometric (log) mean of 70 fecal coliforms per 100ml. By MR or MPN count
Dissolved Gas: Total dissolved gas pressure shall not exceed 110 percent of existing atmospheric pressure
Phosphorus: Phosphorus as total P shall not exceed 50ug/l in any coastal waters
Suspended, colloidal, or settleable solids: None from waste water sources which will cause deposition or be deleterious for the designated uses.
Oil and floating substances: No residue attributable to waste water nor visible oil film nor globules of grease
Radioactivity:

Gross Beta: 1000 picocuries per liter, in the absence of Sr 90 and alpha emitters
Radium-226: 3 picocuries per liter
Strontium-90: 10 picocuries per liter

Taste and Odor Producing Substances: None in amounts that will interfere with the use for primary contact recreation, potable water supply or will render any undesirable taste or odor to edible aquatic life
Color and Turbidity:

A secchi disc shall be visible at a minimum depth of one meter
A maximum nephelometric turbidity unit reading of three (3) shall be permissible.

Boundaries of Class B waters defined as all other coastal waters not classified Class "A" or Class "C". In addition, those Class "B" waters covered by color and turbidity criteria in Section 186-3(b)(11) [T. 12, Ch. 7] include:

St. Thomas coastal waters-Mandahl Bay (Marina), Vessup Bay, Water Bay, Benner Bay, and the Mangrove lagoon
St. Croix Coastal Waters-Carlton Beach, Good Hope Beach, Salt River Lagoon (Marina), Salt River Lagoon (Sugar Bay), Estate Anguilla Beach, Buccaneer Beach, Tamarind Reef lagoon, Green Cay Beach and Enfield Green Beach.

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Boundaries of Class C Waters:

Propagation of desirable species of marine life and primary contact recreation (swimming, water skiing, etc.). The Water Quality Criteria as defined by VIR&R Title 12, Chapter 7, Section 186-4(b)(1-6) are:

Dissolved Oxygen: Not less than 5.0 mg/l from other than natural conditions
pH: Normal range of pH must not be extended at any location by more than +/- 0.1 pH unit. At not time shall the pH be less than 6.7 or greater than 8.5
Bacteria: Shall not exceed a geometric (log) mean of 200 fecal coliforms per 100 ml. By MF or MPN count
Taste and odor producing substances: None in amounts that will interfere with the use for potable water supply or will render any undesirable taste or odor to edible aquatic life
Color and Turbidity: A Secchi disc shall be visible at a minimum depth of one (1) meter.
Other provisions for Class "B" waters shall apply.
Legal limits of Class C Waters defined as:
St. Thomas:

St. Thomas Harbor beginning at Rupert Rock and extending to Haulover Cut.
Crown Bay enclosed by a line from Hassel Island at Haulover Cut to Regis Point at West Gregerie Channel.
Krum Bay

St. Croix:

Christiansted Harbor from Fort Louise Augusta to Golden Rock.
Frederiksted Harbor from La Grange to Fisher Street.
Hess Oil Virgin Islands Harbor.
Martin-Marietta Alumina Harbor.

Table II.B.1 Summary of Pollutant Levels of Virgin Islands Water Quality Standards:

Pollutant	Class B	Class C
Dissolved Oxygen	Not less than 5.5 mg/l from other than natural sources	Not less than 5.0 mg/l
PH	<8.3 Tolerable Limit>7.0	<8.5 Tolerable Limit>6.7
Temperature	Less than 90° Fahrenheit	Same as Class B
Bacteria	Not to exceed 70 fecal coliforms per 100 ml by MF or MPN count	Not to exceed 200 fecal coliforms per 100 ml by MF or MPN count
Dissolved Gas	Not to exceed 110% of existing atmospheric pressure	Same as Class B
Phosphorus	Not to exceed 50 mg/l in any coastal waters	Same as Class B
Suspended , colloidal or settleable solids	None from waste water which would cause deposition or be otherwise deleterious.	Same as Class B
Oil and Floating substances	No residue attributable to waste water. No visible film; no globules of grease	Same as Class B
Radioactivity	Gross Beta: 1000 picocuries per liter, in the absence of Sr 90 and alpha emitters Radium-226: 3 picocuries per liter Strontium-90: 10 picocuries per liter	Same as Class B
Taste and Odor	None in amounts to interfere with use for primary contact recreation, potable water supply or to render undesirable taste or odor to edible aquatic life	Same as Class B
Color and Turbidity	A secchi disc shall be visible at a minimum depth of one meter A maximum nephelometric turbidity unit reading of three (3) shall be permissible	Same as Class B, but no NTU standard in Rules and Regulations

There have been no changes to these Water Quality Rules and Regulations in this reporting period

Table II.B.2 Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use and Island

	St. Croix	St. Thomas	St. John	Total
Class A	2.5	0.0	1.0	3.5
Class B	55.3	45.5	48.7	149.5
Class C	12.5	7.3	0.0	19.8
Total	70.3	52.8	49.7	172.8

Figure II.B.2 St. Croix Coastal Waters Classified by Designated Use

Table II.B.2.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. Croix

Coastal Shorelines for Classes for St. Croix are estimated as follows:

Class	Miles	Site or calculation
Class A	2.5 miles	Buck Island
Class B	55.3 miles	by subtraction (per VI R&R)
Class C	3.0 miles	Christiansted Harbor Shoreline
	4.0 miles	Hess Oil Terminal
	4.1 miles	Krauss Lagoon (Alumina Company Docks)
	1.4 Miles	Frederiksted Shoreline

Figure II.B.3 St. Thomas Coastal Waters Classified by Class

Table II.B.3.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. Thomas

Coastal Shorelines for Classes for St. Thomas are estimated as follows:

Class	Miles	Site or calculation
Class A	-- miles
Class B	45.5 miles	by subtraction (per VI R&R)
Class C	4.0 miles	St. Thomas Harbor
	1.8 miles	Crown Bay
	1.5 miles	Krum Bay Shore

Figure II.B.4 St. John Coastal Waters Classified by Class

Table II.B.4.a Miles of Coastal Shorelines by Class of Use on St. John

Designated uses for St. John are estimated as follows:

Class	Miles	Site or calculation
Class A	1.0 miles	Trunk Bay
Class B	48.7 miles	by subtraction (per VI R&R)
Class C	--- miles

Water quality standards for each class of designated use are provided in Table II.B.2. While the water quality standards are scheduled to be reviewed and updated every three years for the inclusion of additional needed criteria if necessary, this task has not been undertaken for several years [(1996 VI 305(b)]; still true.

1. Water Quality Standards to Support Drinking Water Use Attainment

The water quality standards do not support drinking water use attainment. As shown in Table II.B.1, the Water Pollution Control surface water monitoring program tests solely for the presence of total coliform bacteria .

National Primary Drinking Water Regulations	Water Quality Standards	Support Drinking Water use attainment
Organic compounds: Volatile Organic Chemicals Pesticides/Herbicides/ PCBs Synthetic Organic Chemicals	Standards not available	No
Inorganic compounds	Standards not available	No
Unregulated Chemicals	Standards not available	No
Radiological contaminants	Standards not available	No
Microbiological contaminants (Total coliform)	Class A-O/100ml Class B-70/100ml Class C-200/100ml	Yes

Since most drinking water supply comes from the Virgin Islands reverse osmosis and flash desalinization plants or from traditional rainwater cisterns (still required for all new construction) most national drinking water issues directed at surface or groundwater resources are moot in the Virgin Islands. The reason these standards are not developed in the US Virgin Islands is that drinking water is generally derived from cisterns holding rainwater at each house, or supplemented for public housing and in droughts and other emergencies by desalinization of sea water, as a co-generation by-product of the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority. The Water and Power Authority in St. Croix maintain some public water supply wells.

No surface water is used directly for any drinking water supply, although questions have been raised about whether sea water intakes of contaminated water is capable of passing bacteria contamination through the relatively low temperature (60° C) flash desalinization processes used for most public desalinization..

C. Water Pollution Control Program

Under the provisions of the Territorial Pollution Control Act of 1972 (Title 12, Chapter 7, Virgin Islands Code), the Virgin Islands Water Pollution Control (WPC) Program is mandated to conserve, protect, preserve, and improve the quality of water for public use, and for the propagation of wildlife, fish and aquatic life in the Virgin Islands. This includes the assurance that all projects are in compliance with the Water Quality Standards as set forth in the VI Environmental Laws and Regulations (specifically, Virgin Islands Code, Title 12, Chapter 7, § 184, as interpreted below).

The role of the WPC Program is to facilitate the preservation and—where necessary—make improvements to water quality conditions so as to ensure that water quality standards are met; to monitor health; and to ensure that permitted discharges to waters of the VI meet effluent limitations. The DPNR/DEP is charged with the task of implementing and enforcing these provisions.

The WPC comprises two programs.

The Territorial Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) Program involves the permitting of wastes to be discharged from a point sources into the waters of the VI, so as to ensure that those wastes meet the Water Quality Criteria in the VIC.
The Ambient Monitoring Program involves the collection of samples to comprehensively evaluate coastal water quality.

The Ambient Monitoring Program involves the collection of water samples to comprehensively evaluate coastal water quality. The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR), Division of Environmental Protection (DEP), conducts the sampling with cooperation from the Division of Environmental Enforcement (DEE) and Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW).

Under the Water Pollution Control Grant (pursuant to Clean Water Act (CWA) §106), the Division of Environmental Protection has been entrusted with the task of monitoring the marine waters of the USVI and controlling discharges to those waters. The Ambient Monitoring Program involves the collection of samples which will give scientific data regarding water quality, and the TPDES Program which involves the permitting of wastes to be discharged Into the waters of the Virgin Islands. Permitted effluents, however, must meet the Water Quality Criteria as set forth in the Virgin Islands Code. Both programs work in conjunction with one another to preserve the quality of the ambient marine waters for the people of the Virgin Islands. The water quality standards are to be reviewed and, if necessary, updated every three years to preserve the designated uses by including more criteria with which to monitor. Due to limited staffing this task has not been accomplished for many years.

The Division of Environmental Protection is expected to be trained in the STORET program for local management of STORET data in August, 1999.

Evaluation criteria are a comparison of the collected data with applicable VIR&R Water Quality Standards and consultation with Departmental program managers regarding other elements of professional experience and judgment.

1. Point Source Control Program

The TPDES program or Point Source Control program determines who is allowed to discharge and at what concentration from a specific facility into the waters of the Virgin Islands. Title 12, Chapter 7 §184-11 of the Virgin Islands Rules and Regulations states, "no person shall discharge (means the addition of any pollution) to Virgin Islands waters from any point source."

A TPDES permit requires that all point source discharges of pollution be monitored by the permittee (facility), and the results submitted to DPNR/DEP and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). DPNR/DEP conducts compliance inspections and compliance monitoring on all facilities that possesses a TPDES permit annually to ensure compliance. If a facility is found not to be in compliance with the TPDES permit, enforcement actions will be taken against the facility in the form of fines. The facility must demonstrate to the Department how it intends to come into compliance by the submittal of a corrective action plan.

Unfortunately, not all permitted facilities are in compliance with their TPDES permit. The Department of Public Works (DPW) continues to be a major violator of its permit. DPNR has issued numerous notices of violations during this reporting period; however, corrective actions have not been made. Until there are major changes in maintenance and equipment at DPW, which are severely constrained by the on-going Virgin Islands Government budget crisis, their TPDES permit will continue to be violated.

The VI Water and Power Authority (VIWAPA) Electric Generating Facility continues to be the only permitted facility allowed to discharge toxic compounds and heavy metals, below EPA established Maximum Contaminant Loads (MCLs), into the waters of the VI. Compounds and heavy metals include Polychlorinated Biphenyl (PCBs), Aluminum (Al) Copper (Cu), and Iron (Fe). In addition, the Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corporation (HOVIC) permitted discharge consist of the following compounds: Sulfide (S), total Chromium (Cr), and Phenols.

The point source program has developed a protocol for periods of noncompliance by the Department of Public Works. This entails the episodic monitoring of impacted coastal areas. This monitoring determines the level of bacteriological contamination in impacted areas, identifies trends (such as fish kills) and alerts the public of contaminated beaches based on sewage discharges.

Regulated discharges and discharge sites include sewage treatment plant outfalls (both public and private facilities), brine discharges from reverse osmosis (and other technology) freshwater production plants, industrial facility process water discharges, and industrial facility drainage discharge.

Unfortunately, many of the regulated facilities are not in full compliance with the provisions described in their respective permits, with site inspections of these facilities and reports of unpermitted discharges indicating that the water bodies near such facilities are constantly impacted. For example, the Virgin Islands Department of Public Works (DPW) is a major violator of its permit primarily because of a poorly designed and failing sewerage system in St. Croix that permits raw sewage to flow directly into the Caribbean Sea. Fish kills at ecologically sensitive wetlands have occurred repeatedly, and swimming beaches in the HOVIC/STX Alumina watershed have been closed on numerous occasions. Another example of a continual violator is the Virgin Islands Water and Power Authority (WAPA), where oil spills at its St. Croix facility (part of the Christiansted watershed) flow directly into the Caribbean Sea.

Major TPDES outfalls such as DPW and WAPA, are of concern because they are located in the same segment of the water body where water intake occurs for the major desalination units at Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp. Refinery and WAPA-Richmond, respectively. There is also some concern that occasional pollution or turbidity at the WAPA sea water intakes allows the intake of large volumes of bacteria that may pass through the relatively low temperature (60 C) flash distillation units used for desalinization.

TPDES has several components, all under the auspices of the Division of Environmental Protection:

TPDES permit issuance
Inspections [Compliance Evaluation (CEI) and Sampling Inspections (CSI)],
Enforcement

Permit Issuance:

Territorial TPDES permits are issued with limits pertinent to Federal and Local Regulations. Industrial permits are found primarily in the St. Croix district (Oil Refinery, Alumina Plant, and Rum Distillery). In each district the VI government operates publicly owned treatment works (POTW) and electric generating/ reverse osmosis (RO) water making plants (WAPA). There are numerous private and commercial RO plants throughout the territory that have TPDES permits. During this reporting period, twenty (20) TPDES permits were issued (or re-issued). Among these were 17 permits to Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp. listed for the 1996 NPDES permits in the Permit Compliance System (PCS) system, and several other local permits such as the Esso station in Tutu, Texaco Tutu, St. Thomas Dairies, and Texaco Caribbean.